Bungalows, which emerged in the early 1900s, are a classic staple of American architecture and a very popular home style these days.
A bungalow is distinguished by its low profile. This house type also provides structural simplicity; understated, straightforward style; solid construction and uncomplicated design – all hallmarks of the design school made famous by Frank Lloyd Wright.
Even if you don’t have a bungalow, there are several ways you can bring the Arts and Crafts style to your home’s exterior and interior.
Exterior options
Like many housing trends, this one starts at the front door. By changing your entry doors and architectural accents, you can give your home a new, but classic, look.
One element to consider is Therma-TruA?® Doors’ new Classic-CraftA?® American Style CollectionTM, a reflection of traditional Arts and Crafts style.
The American Style door is designed with a vertical groove, straight graining, clean and simple lines, square wood edges, a wide, full-length lock block, and decorative sidelite options.
As with all Therma-Tru Classic-Craft fiberglass entry doors, this door won’t rot or peel like real wood, requires minimal maintenance, and provides excellent thermal protection all year long.
For more information on Therma-Tru Doors, go online to www.thermatru.com.
“In any home, the front entry door makes a clear statement to all who enter. It is a part of the house that is not only viewed as one approaches, but also seen up close, where its quality can be appreciated,” said Wayne Zuschlag, architect and principal and founder of the firm Architecture Chicago.
“With an entry door, it is not just the appearance that counts. A door is something you touch. The way a Therma-Tru American Style door feels and the way it sounds, speaks of the craftsmanship embodied within,” he added.
Another feature of Arts and Crafts style is a front porch along the full width of the home, with right-angled, square columns that broaden at the base, and black nickel hardware and fixtures.
The return of the front porch is one of America’s hottest housing trends. More homes today are being built with front porches than ever before.
Since the visual planes of this style are always angular, adding an Arts- and Crafts-style porch to your home will depend on your home’s current exterior style, window designs, and landscaping.
Other decorative accents on the exterior include mission-style furnishings or Adirondack chairs, warm colors for decorative fabrics and cushions, lights, a railing, and natural prairie plants.
If you are building a new home and want to incorporate the Arts and Crafts style into your architecture, consider low roof pitches with wide eaves and exposed roof rafters, clean gables, and the use of natural materials like wood and stone.
Other external elements include split wood shingles, shake siding, exposed wood beams, arched doorways, brick, stone, slate, stucco, and clapboard. Door knockers, kick plates, lighting, and house numbers should all be coordinated in the same metal finish for a clean look.
Interior options
In addition to the more visible and familiar exterior Arts- and- Crafts-style features, there are also easy ways you can incorporate this look inside your home.
The primary inspiration is nature and to use simple materials to design and construct craft traditions.
When considering furnishings, Arts and Crafts style demands simplicity, quality, straight lines and ease of use. Coffee tables, chairs, bureaus, desks and hutches made of wood, unadorned, with the exception of dark metal hardware and panels that include squares or rectangles, will match most dA?©cors.
The fireplace is also the center of the home, often framed by symmetric bookshelves or even benches and high-beamed ceilings.
In addition to stand-alone pieces, Arts and Crafts bungalows typically feature built-in bookcases, cabinets and seating to help provide an open, uncluttered and well-organized look to the home – essential characteristics of the Arts and Crafts approach.
Wood frames, baskets and earth-toned pottery accent the style beautifully, along with neutral linen or cotton window treatments.
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